PortAventura World

formula1fan · Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:22 pm

I think that PortAventura may well be the first European park that I go back to (three visits in five days to DLP don't count, and neither do three visits in six days to Terra Mítica). I can't go this year, as I've committed to Europa-Park in August, so it looks like I may go in 2013. Shambhala looks amazing, though, and I look forward to riding it.

AstroDan · Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:38 pm

Baco divides opinion, clearly. My own opinion is that it is the single, most vibration filled and uncomfortable launch coaster I have been on. I found it worse to ride than Goudurix, aside from front three rows on inside seats.

I got off with pounding headaches, not to mention the horrendous 5-600 per hour throughput.

Shambahala is in a totally different league.

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Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:01 pm

The only thing that disappoints me with this, is the first drop. Its too drawn out, could have been so much better like Leviathan's first drop, which is nice and tight.

Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:26 pm

The turnaround element is now complete!

AstroDan · Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:30 pm

Whilst I now have the opinion that this is my most anticipated new ride of 2012, I do have one concern and that is that the first airtime hill and the turnaround element look too high. They almost look the height of the first drop, which leads me to concern that the train will crawl over them.

Fri Feb 24, 2012 6:35 pm

I dont know Dan, that ride is going to pick up some speed off that first drop! perhaps the turnaround will be a little slow but i still think it will be awesome at that height

AstroDan · Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:11 pm

spark wrote: I dont know Dan, that ride is going to pick up some speed off that first drop! perhaps the turnaround will be a little slow but i still think it will be awesome at that height

Possibly. As much as I love to ride Silver Star, a little more zip over the hills would just create a slight bit more sensation. I guess that's not what B&M Mega's are trying to do, though.

Big Dave · Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:23 pm

Agreed. Silverstar is awesome, but kinda wish it had a little more airtime on those hills.

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Fri Feb 24, 2012 7:34 pm

Silver Star succeeds at exactly what Air tried to do but failed... a coaster that is both incredibly intense (emotionally, aesthetically, the speed and height) but also not intense at all at the same time.

Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:21 pm

What are you on about? Air was never supposed to be intense in any way shape or form....

Sun Feb 26, 2012 5:30 pm

I am in complete panic, I have already booked my flights/hotel to Port Aventura this easter break, but I am now devistated to read that it probably will not be open untill May/June, please tell me I am reading this wrong. The annoying thing is that Port Aventuras main site says nothing at all about opening apart from opening in the 2012 season!

AstroDan · Sun Feb 26, 2012 5:32 pm

jackgcse wrote: I am in complete panic, I have already booked my flights/hotel to Port Aventura this easter break, but I am now devistated to read that it probably will not be open untill May/June, please tell me I am reading this wrong. The annoying thing is that Port Aventuras main site says nothing at all about opening apart from opening in the 2012 season!

The ride will not be open at Easter. I was hoping to go in May but am not, because of the fact that Shambahala will not be open until, I believe, June.

Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:02 pm

I thought it was due for a May opening? I am not going until September, but I am already looking forward to getting on this, it looks fantastic.

On the subject of Baco, fantastic coaster imo.

AstroDan · Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:09 pm

Scott wrote: I thought it was due for a May opening? I am not going until September, but I am already looking forward to getting on this, it looks fantastic.

On the subject of Baco, fantastic coaster imo.

Possibly May, although I cannot find much definitive.

And as I said, Baco divides opinion, :P

Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:34 am

Official word from Portaventura is that it will either open 'end of May/early June'.

Portaventura usually aim to have their bigger projects such as Shambhala opened up by the summer season rather than on the season opening in March. March/April tend to be the quietest months of the year. As long as things are fully ready for the summer season (and the herds of tourists that head for Portavetura/Salou year on year) then that's what the managers are aiming for right now.

Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:07 pm

AstwoDan wrote:
Scott wrote: I thought it was due for a May opening? I am not going until September, but I am already looking forward to getting on this, it looks fantastic.

On the subject of Baco, fantastic coaster imo.
Possibly May, although I cannot find much definitive.

And as I said, Baco divides opinion, :P

Oh I know that, it is one of the biggest marmite coasters out there.

It's great to see so many construction photos of Shambhala going on Facebook.

Sazzle · Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:15 pm

Off topic, but regards the above sentiments, I HATE Marmite!!

Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:22 pm

New pic of PA Skyline:

http://www.pa-community.com/p/port-aven ... 09fa786f6a

(I still don't know how to get photo's on here)

Sun Mar 04, 2012 10:47 am

It just depresses me that after 17 years they've abandoned the idea of having distinct, self-contained themed areas each with their own coaster skyline and they now have just gone for a Magic Mountain-style skyline which has driven a bulldozer through any remnants of their attempt to make the park Disney-esque.

Sun Mar 04, 2012 11:47 am

I agree! Several years ago, this park was one of the most beautiful, and best themed in the World. Universal's early influences were clearly visible! Now, it is slowly becoming very 'Six Flag's with little thought and care on how new rides interact with the existing park and landscape.

That said, the coaster does look pretty intense, but just out of place.